HomeMy WebLinkAboutAAC 2020-06-25 minutes.pdf City of Maple Ridge
Agricultural Advisory Committee
MEETING MINUTES
The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Agricultural Advisory Committee,
held via teleconference on June 25, 2020 at 7:01 pm.
____________________________________________________________________________________
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Councillor Gordy Robson Council Liaison
Bill Hardy, Chair Member at Large
Carla Schiller, Vice Chair Member at Large
Andrew Pozsar Member at Large
Melissa Maltais Fraser North Farmers Market Society Representative
Pascale Shaw Member at Large
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT
Adam Rieu Staff Liaison
Erin Mark Committee Clerk
Laura Benson Corporate Policy and Sustainability
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT
Lorraine Bates Agricultural Fair Board Representative
Michelle Franklin Member at Large
Angela Boss B.C. Ministry of Agriculture (Non-voting member)
Shannon Lambie Agriculture Land Commission (Non-voting member)
GUESTS
John Lindner Metro Vancouver
Theresa Duynstee Metro Vancouver
Derek Jennejohn Metro Vancouver
Amanda Smith Fraser North Farmers Market Society - Alternate
Note: Andrew Pozsar was not present at the beginning of the meeting.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
R/2020-016
It was moved and seconded
That the June 25, 2020 Agricultural Advisory Committee agenda be approved.
CARRIED
3. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES
R/2020-017
It was moved and seconded
That the minutes of the Maple Ridge Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting dated May 28,
2020 be adopted.
CARRIED
mapleridge.ca
Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes
June 25, 2020
Page 2 of 3
4. DELEGATIONS
4.1. Metro Vancouver – Clean Air Plan and Climate 2050 Discussion Paper
John Lindner / Theresa Duynstee / Derek Jennejohn - Metro Vancouver
John Lindner gave a presentation regarding the Clean Air Plan and Climate 2050 agriculture
discussion paper. Mr. Lindner sought feedback on the discussion paper and answered
questions from the Committee. Metro Vancouver’s consultation will continue through
September with webinars and questionnaires available for the public and members of the
agriculture community.
Note: Andrew Pozsar joined the meeting at 7:17 pm.
4.2. Pollinators
Laura Benson, Corporate Policy and Sustainability
Laura Benson presented an idea for a community engagement project that assists residents
identify pollinators and create environments that support pollinators. Ms. Benson also sought
feedback on a bee research project proposed to the City. Committee members provided
feedback on the community engagement project and the proposed research project.
5. QUESTION PERIOD – Nil
6. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
6.1. Pollinators Presentations Follow-Up
The Committee expressed interest in continuing to discuss ways to protect and encourage
pollinators and discussed ways to incorporate those themes in the AAC’s 2021 education
initiatives (ie. Booth in a Box, Pollinator Garden Contest).
6.2. Dr. Bee – 2020 Bees & Blueberries Festival – August 8/9, 2020
The Chair announced that the Dr. Bee event has been cancelled due to COVID related event
restrictions.
6.3. Potential Food Shortage Correspondence
The Staff Liaison shared information about the six existing community gardens and members
discussed the importance of community gardens.
R/2020-018
It was moved and seconded
That the Staff Liaison draft a response to the letter received from John and Marie Robson
indicating that the AAC is supportive of community gardens and providing information about
community gardens in Maple Ridge.
Note: Melissa Maltais left the meeting at 7:56 pm and Amanda Smith stepped in as Fraser North
Farmers Market Society’s representative.
Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes
June 25, 2020
Page 3 of 3
7. LIAISON UPDATES
7.1 Staff Liaison
The Staff Liaison shared that City Hall is still closed to the public due to COVID.
7.2 Council Liaison
Councillor Robson spoke about the municipal tax decrease for farms that is being phased in
over two years (2020 & 2021). Councillor Robson inquired to the status of the water meter
rate research.
R/2020-019
It was moved and seconded
That the Staff Liaison provided data on water meter rates for farms in other Metro Vancouver
municipalities and determine if those municipalities offer discounts and how the discounts
are calculated.
CARRIED
Members discussed the review of Committees of Council done in fall 2019 and resolution
R/2020-007 passed at the January 2020 AAC meeting asking Council to reconsider the
current AAC membership structure.
8. SUBCOMMITTEE & TASK FORCE UPDATES
8.1 Food Garden Contest 2020
The Staff Liaison shared an update on the entries received for the Food Garden Contest.
8.2 Education
The Committee Clerk shared an email update from Michelle Franklin regarding speakers for
a summer series on pollinators. The Staff Liaison confirmed that he is working with Ms.
Franklin to coordinate the speaker series using a virtual format that can accommodate up to
300 people.
8.3 Promotion of Agriculture
The Chair shared that the Task Force will be starting fresh on the Booth in a Box project over
the summer.
9. ROUNDTABLE
Members provided verbal reports on local agricultural topics and activities.
10. ADJOURNMENT – 8:48 PM
/em